Glimmers of Change (13 page)

Nine months after the end of the war, Richmond was struggling to return to its former dominance. Before the destruction and devastation of the war, Virginia’s capital had represented the most advanced economic development in the South. By the 1850s, canal and rail connections with the rest of the South created new markets for all of Richmond’s iron, flour, and tobacco industries that processed regional materials and resources. Determined to maintain its prominence, business leaders embarked on a frenzied campaign of internal improvements to promote industry.

It worked.

Between 1850 and 1860, Richmond’s factory force grew by 581 percent. Richmond became the terminus of the South’s major railroad network, its leading port, and an industrial pacesetter. It also became the home of a solid group of bourgeoisie who firmly believed whites were superior to blacks — that it was meant to be that way, and that it would always stay that way.

The Civil War changed things for all time. Richmond was destroyed and slavery abolished. Like it or not, a new day had dawned that demanded everything be done differently.

Thomas stared down at the divided group shuffling their feet and looking around. “They’ve never worked together,” he murmured.

Jeremy took a deep breath. They had talked about this for hours. Before the war, few blacks and whites had worked together. Most slaves and freedmen were employed in tobacco factories or in domestic service. Most whites worked in skilled trades not practiced by blacks. On rare occasions, they would have a black helper.

The whites didn’t work with the blacks, and they also didn’t mingle with them outside the workplace. Their worlds were completely separate. All that was about to change.

Jeremy watched as the last workers filed into the building. “Looks like it’s time,” he said brightly. He flashed a confident grin at Thomas and Abby that he hoped hid his nervousness, walked down the stairs, and climbed up to the small platform in the middle of the room.

The tension in the room reached out to him from every face. Anger and fear swirled to the rafters as one hundred sets of eyes settled on him. “Good morning, everyone,” he called.

Jeremy waited a moment until the silence in the room was complete. He kept both his face and his stance casual and relaxed. He wasn’t going to reveal just how momentous this occasion was, nor the fact that he was well aware they were breaking all precedents and making history with the opening of the factory. “Welcome to Cromwell Clothing Factory,” he said warmly. “We believe we have hired one hundred very qualified people to work here.”

Jeremy was aware of the suspicious looks coming from both sides of the room. While everyone looked suspicious, the looks coming from the white side were full of anger and derision, while the veiled looks from the black side contained more confusion and fear. Jeremy understood. Since the war ended and President Johnson’s policies gained momentum, racism had increased in Richmond.

He decided to hit it straight on. “We realize Cromwell Factory is breaking the mold on how things happen,” he began. “In the past, whites and blacks didn’t work together.” He held up a hand and directed a hard look at a small group of whites who began to mutter among themselves. They quieted, but their angry looks didn’t dissipate.

“Things have changed,” he said flatly. “There is one objective here at Cromwell Clothing Factory. That objective is to create the finest quality garments possible, while making the highest profit possible. We believe that will be done by hiring the best workers and treating them all with the same respect and consideration.” He paused and then spoke slowly so that his words were heard clearly. “With that in mind, I’m going to erase the need for rumor by telling you straight out that every worker at our factory will be paid the same. Race doesn’t matter. Gender doesn’t matter. Only your ability to do your job with excellence will matter. Every person will be paid the same.”

Jeremy waited a long moment for everyone to absorb his words. They had been careful to communicate this during the hiring, but he was quite sure the words were not believed. The whites were simply not able to comprehend that blacks they considered inferior would receive equal pay. The blacks were not able to comprehend that they would be compensated based on their ability, not on the color of their skin. Now, with all of them standing together, Jeremy was once more making sure they understood things clearly.

He ignored the restless movements and shuffling of feet. “Your ability to do your job with excellence will depend not just on the task you are trained to do, but also on how you get along with fellow employees. When you are outside the doors of this factory, I can’t keep you from seeing yourself as different races. But when you walk inside the doors of this factory, part of your job description will be the requirement to treat every other employee with respect and consideration. You may never become friends, but you
will
work together.”

He could see outrage growing on many of the faces — blacks included. While the whites may consider them inferior, the end of the war and emancipation had changed black attitudes. They resented white people who had owned slaves. Before the end of the war, more than half of the male heads of household owned slaves. This was double the amount that owned homes. Whites of all economic levels had kept blacks from entering skilled trades. Resentment ran high in the black community.

Jeremy glanced up at the glassed-in office. Thomas and Abby nodded their encouragement, the looks on their faces saying he was doing well. He looked back at the group of employees.

“I fully realize there are many feelings about what I just said — most of them negative. I don’t believe the feelings both sides of this issue have are going to disappear overnight. It will take time.” He stood taller as his voice grew even firmer. “I want to make sure all of you understand one thing, however. I said already that part of your job description will be to treat every employee with respect and consideration. I meant it.
Anyone
who causes trouble will be let go immediately.”

He let his eyes sweep the crowd. “Jobs are hard to come by,” he reminded them. Indeed they were. “We had over a thousand people apply for these positions. We chose the one hundred of you standing in front of me. We’re going to give you every chance to create a good income for your family while we create a factory that will help Richmond get back on its feet, but that condition is one we will not bend on.  If you cause trouble you will be fired.”

He let his words settle over the room as he caught the eyes of everyone looking up at him. “Are we clear?”

Heads nodded all over the room. Faces portrayed a mixture of reluctant admiration, uncertainty, and stifled anger. It was the most Jeremy could hope for. He had no illusions that what they were doing would be easy, but they were committed to their course of action.

A sudden rustle in the back of the room caught his attention. He waited quietly as one man surged forward, his narrow face red with fury.

“It ain’t right,” the man yelled. “It ain’t right that some nigger gonna make as much money as I am. That ain’t how things are done around here! Can’t nobody tell me a nigger is as good as I am!” he hollered, seeming to pick up energy as he moved to just below the platform.

Jeremy watched quietly as a small group of men from where the protestor emerged tensed their bodies and began to move forward. “It’s how they are done now,” Jeremy said evenly. “You’re fired,” he said sharply.

The men surging forward stopped in their tracks, their eyes darting around to see what action they should take next. The protestor shot angry looks at them, but they didn’t move — they just kept their eyes locked on Jeremy.

“There are nine hundred men waiting to take your place,” Jeremy said calmly, willing his heart to beat slowly so that his voice wouldn’t betray the nervousness he felt. That simple reminder was enough to make the other men look away. “You’re fired,” he repeated. “You may leave.”

“You can’t fire me!” the man sputtered, his angry look fading into one of desperation. “I got kids to feed.”

“I made the conditions clear,” Jeremy reminded him. “You’re fired. Leave the building now.” He tensed as he saw the man consider whether an attack was warranted, but he saw the moment when the man realized not one other person was going to stand with him. He was on his own. Jeremy felt a surge of pity when the man’s shoulders slumped in defeat, knowing he had just thrown away the best opportunity in Richmond. Jeremy kept his face neutral as he gazed around the room. “Does anyone want to leave with him? I can have your replacement here in the morning.”

No one moved.

Jeremy fastened his eyes on the man, waiting until he had stalked from the building before he swept his gaze over the room again. “There is no place for hatred at Cromwell Clothing Factory,” he said. “I realize we are doing something that has never been done in Richmond, but it is also something that is long past due. I am not so naïve as to believe it will be easy, but the owners of the factory, Thomas and Abigail Cromwell, along with myself, believe it can be done.”

Jeremy fervently hoped he was right. Most of the white faces staring at him had just months ago laid down arms after years of fighting for a doomed Confederacy. The black faces staring at him were either recently freed slaves or Union soldiers who decided to stay in the South now that freedom was won.

He searched for words to begin the process of opening minds. “Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past,” he began, thinking of all the things he talked about with his father before he passed away. “Prejudice threatens the future we all hope to build for the South and for ourselves. Equally important, it makes the present inaccessible.” He paused for a long moment. “Prejudice is held by both black and white. We have all formed opinions without bothering to truly understand the facts. It takes great courage to keep an open mind and be willing to see things differently than you always have, but I believe the rebirth of the South depends on it.”

Tension still vibrated through the room, but it was not as intense. Jeremy decided he had said enough. To keep speaking would only turn his words into a sermon that he knew would be ineffective. Everyone standing before him was clear about the consequences if they caused trouble. Only time and the daily reality of working together would change their beliefs and actions. He knew that relieving their financial pressure through good wages would go a long way toward opening minds to think differently.

“Carlton.” He nodded to a man standing to the side. “You will begin to train the machine operators.” His gaze moved on to the other side of the room. “Noah, you will begin training the material cutters.” The women they had hired to sew the clothing would begin training in two weeks.

No one said a word as groups of men, black and white in each one, moved to their assigned areas. Jeremy watched for several minutes before he left the platform and climbed back to the office. He was going to spend most of his time on the floor, getting to know his employees and letting them know how closely he would be involved, but it was time to give them some space.

“Well done!” Thomas said the moment Jeremy stepped into the office and closed the door.

Jeremy shrugged. “Thanks, but I hated losing that man. Not because we need him, but because he needs
us
. Firing him was necessary, but it’s only going to make him more bitter.”

“You didn’t have a choice,” Abby said sadly. “If you hedged over his attack, the factory would have operated in chaos from the very beginning.” Her eyes softened. “It may make him more bitter, but there is also a chance it will force him to rethink his actions and change his beliefs.”

Jeremy stared down at the men working below, wishing he could believe her words, but too well aware of what wounded pride and hatred could do inside a man. He forced his voice to remain casual when he responded. “I hope so,” was all he said.